Communications and Marketing

Annual Global Fest continues to grow

Celebrate Global Fest with us on Saturday, September 11 on South Campus.

All week, the Office of Intercultural Relations has put on events leading up to the annual Global Fest celebration this Saturday, September 11. An event that started in 2005 has grown into an annual week-long forum that highlights the diversity of Lake Forest College. Since this fall’s incoming class represents the highest number of international or domestic students of color on campus, the event is more relevant than ever before.

Sporting events, dance routines and international cuisine are just some of the highlights of Global Fest.

The first Global Fest had over 400 students and 30 student organizations participate. This year, it was expanded into a week-long event to engage more audiences. Designed to showcase the College’s diversity and enable students to learn from each other, the event has grown into a community-wide program.

“I wanted students to see the varied, interesting, worldly, and unique aspects of their community all at once,” said Alexandra Hales ‘07, former General Assembly president and one of the leaders who organized the first Global Fest.

One of the highlights of this year’s Global Fest forum is the faculty panel about the global impact of the 9/11 attacks on Friday, September 10 from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. in the McCormick Auditorium. Professors Siobhan Moroney, Hasan Kosebalaban, and Cathy Benton, will sit on the panel to discuss Muslims fasting around the globe during Ramadan, lessons unlearned by observing nine years after 9/11 and the domestic consequences of 9/11 and its aftermath. Organized and moderated by professor Gizella Meneses, the event will be the precursor to Saturday’s kickoff 9/11 memorial at 8:00 a.m.

The Office of Intercultural Relations worked with the student government to organize the first event, sponsored by the College. Now, the Office of Intercultural Relations chairs the event, but it is planned by faculty, staff, and students. The main day-long event features student organization booths and activities, speakers, vendors, performances, food, music and presentations which are all focused making connections in our global community, and affirming our identity as global citizens.

Assistant Director of Intercultural Relations and chair of this year’s Global Fest, Sharonda Pugh, said, “My personal goal is to not only see that we’ve got a big international presence on campus, but to see that everyone has a story to share.”